(contenu disponible en anglais uniquement)
Faith leaders actively advocating to end violence against women and children
Video courtesy of House of Sarah
Faith leaders wield power and influence to end violence against women and children across Pacific island countries, including in Fiji with its revamped campaign “My faith says ‘No!’ to rape and violence against women and children.”
The rates of violence against women and girls in the Pacific are some of the world’s highest recorded, with more than two in three women experiencing intimate partner violence in several Pacific countries - double the global average.
Faith-based approaches can be a powerful lever for change, with faith organisations’ reach, network, respect, and level of influence in communities able to be used to advocate for issues such as the protection, safety and care of women and children, and their “well-being” as detailed in the Pacific Platform for Action on Gender Equality and Women’s Human Rights (PPA, 1994).
In the Pacific, there is a growing number of faith-based initiatives to end violence against women and children, such as the recent relaunch in Fiji of the faith-based television campaign “My faith says “No!” to rape and violence against women and children.”
"This campaign has encouraged faith leaders to act upon their commitment to end violence,” shared Reverend Sereima Lomaloma, Trustee, House of Sarah, while launching the video for the latest 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence.
“We see this as an opportunity to really engage the different faiths and come together as one and speak out against the injustices in society, violence in all its forms and especially gender-based violence,” Reverend Lomaloma said.
The revamped television, social media, printed calendar and poster campaign by House of Sarah was supported by the Fiji Government-led ‘National Action Plan for the Prevention of Violence Against Women and Girls’ (Fiji NAP PVAWG) Unit, in partnership with the Pacific Women Lead at the Pacific Community (PWL at SPC) programme. The content was also supported by the Pacific Conference of Churches and its General Secretary, Reverend James Bhagwan, who led the development of the original campaign about six years ago, with partners including UN Women.
The new-look campaign ties in with the 30th anniversary of the Pacific Platform for Action (PPA) as it guides the Pacific’s reporting on progress and priorities for the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) in March and its review of the Beijing Platform for Action (BPA).
Fiji’s revamped campaign: “My faith says “No!” to rape and violence against women and children.”
Selai Cama Korovusere, National Coordinator of the Prevention of Violence Against Women and Girls Unit, said: “The Fiji National Action Plan to Prevent Violence Against Women and Girls 2023–2028 (NAP), is the second in the world (after Australia) and first in the Pacific.”
“Fiji’s NAP has several priorities, and the faith setting is one of them. The NAP acknowledges the tremendous work done by faith leaders that promote peace, understanding and love. Faith-based environments are critical to ensure whatever is being shared fosters a culture of peace and love so that is taken to the home,” said Ms Korovusere.
“We acknowledge the work that the House of Sarah is doing in implementing positive change of social norms such as the advocating of practices against gender-based violence and this campaign in particular.”
Pundit Krishneel Tiwari, National Secretary of Sanatan Fiji, said: “Participation in the ending violence campaign aligns with our core values of peace, compassion, and unity (Shree Sanatan Dharm Pratinidhi Sabha of Fiji).
“Sanatan Fiji recognises that as a faith-based organisation, we have a moral responsibility to lead by example in fostering respect and harmony within and beyond our religious community. By supporting the end violence campaign, we aim to amplify the message that violence in any form is unacceptable and that everyone has a role to play in creating a safer, more inclusive society,” he said.
Reverend Joseph Taukave from Wesley City Mission Church said: “As a church minister, I believe it is part of my pastoral work to support this campaign, to provide solutions and create awareness. Rates of violence are so high. There is a lack of discipline in our morals, financial needs, pornography, alcohol, drugs and less time with family, just to mention a few issues."
How then do we end this cycle of violence in all its forms – physical and psychological?
“People need to be kept educated on the dangers of violence as the cycle of violence will only continue if we do not act now,” said Reverend Taukave, Wesley City Mission Church.
Reverend James Bhagwan, General Secretary of the Pacific Conference of Churches, believes: “Addressing structural, emotional and economic violence in our families, communities and workplaces is a key start. We also need to be bold enough and discuss alternatives to traditional stereotypes.”
Reverend Bhagwan highlighted several faith-based approaches that can make an impact, including:
- Engaging with all faith communities, including those not yet addressing gender-based violence, to guide them in the process.
- Exploring the possibility of including safeguarding policies as part of the registration process for religious bodies.
- Strengthening the collaboration between faith-based organisations and feminist movements.
- Promoting the “Break the Silence Sunday” initiative within faith communities (where sermons include messages to raise awareness against gender-based violence).
- Revising theological curricula to address gender-based violence and gender justice issues.
Pundit Tiwari, Sanatan Fiji, was of the same thinking and added: “Through education, awareness, and community outreach, Sanatan Fiji hopes to encourage our followers and other community members to commit to values that prevent violence and promote peace in our homes, workplaces, and society as a whole.”
He said: “Ending violence begins with each of us. Be a voice against harm, and if you witness violence, choose not to look away—extend your support and offer compassion to those in need. This is not just about rejecting violence but about fostering an environment of love and understanding.”
“While gender-based violence may not yet be eliminated, faith leaders have made a stand and are making progress. Their respect within communities and level of influence will ensure a more receptive and positive outcome. We can expect more practical measures to ensure the community of followers or congregation consider a positive change to their behaviour and attitudes.”
Faith-based approaches included in priorities to progress gender equality commitments
The importance of faith-based approaches to address gender-based violence will be highlighted by Pacific delegates at the upcoming UN Commission on the Status of Women sixty-ninth session (CSW69), 10-21 March 2025.
For CSW69, the Pacific will include faith-based approaches in their regional reporting and priorities for inclusion in the global review of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action as it commemorates 30 years in 2025. The Pacific’s regional progress reporting for the 30-year review of the Beijing Platform for Action (Beijing+30) has been guided by the Pacific Platform for Action on Gender Equality and Women’s Human Rights (PPA 1994, and since revised). The Pacific Platform for Action (PPA) is the region’s roadmap to plan actions and track progress towards achieving gender equality.
SPC is custodian of the Pacific Platform for Action (PPA) and the Triennial Conference for Pacific Women, with both instruments assisting Pacific nations address Pacific leaders’ commitments regionally and globally, such the Pacific Leaders Gender Equality Declaration revitalised in 2023 through the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS).
Read more about the:
- Pacific Platform for Action (PPA) and its links to regional commitments and partners
- CEDAW Pacific Technical Cooperation Session, April 2025
- The Pacific, its PPA and the BPA at CSW69, March 2025 [webpage under construction]
